Oct. 11, 2010
David S. Weaver
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
david.s.weaver@nasa.gov
Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
allard.beutel@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 10-255
NASA ADMINISTRATOR THANKS PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESS FOR AGENCY'S NEW DIRECTION SUPPORT
WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement from NASA Administrator
Charles Bolden in support of President Obama's signing of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2010 on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010:
"Earlier today, President Obama signed into law the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010. It is
important bipartisan legislation that charts a new course for space
exploration, science, technology development, and aeronautics. We are
grateful for the President's forward-thinking plan and the hard work
members of Congress put into this framework that will guide us for
the coming three years.
"This legislation supports the president's ambitious plan for NASA to
pioneer new frontiers of innovation and discovery. With this
direction, we will extend operations on the International Space
Station through at least 2020.
"We will foster a growing commercial space transportation industry
that will allow NASA to focus our efforts on executing direction in
the act to start work on a heavy-lift architecture to take astronauts
beyond low-Earth orbit and to develop a multipurpose crew vehicle for
use with our new space launch systems.
"Also, we will continue to invest in green aviation and other
technologies that make air travel safer and more efficient.
"In collaboration with our international partners, industry, and
academia, we will build and launch observatories and robotic missions
to explore our solar system and peer through new windows into our
amazing universe, as well as help us better understand our own home
planet with a robust plus-up in our Earth Science program. Our
education programs will build on all of this to inspire future
generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
"We have been given a new path in space that will enable our country
to develop greater capabilities, transforming the state of the art in
aerospace technologies. We will continue to maintain and expand vital
partnerships around the world. It will help us retool for the
industries and jobs of the future that will be vital for long-term
economic growth and national security.
"Our workers have been steadfast in their dedication to safety and
success through this time of transition, and we salute their hard
work and continued professional excellence. They will continue to be
our most vital resource as we implement these plans.
"As the 2011 appropriations process moves forward, there is still a
lot of hard work ahead of us in collaboration with the Congress. We
are committed to work together with the continued wide public support
for NASA, and the bipartisan backing of Congress. Today's vote of
confidence from the president ensures America's space program will
remain at the forefront of a bright future for our nation."
For more information about NASA, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
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